A delegation from Rochester Institute of Technology, led by President Bill Destler, today signed an agreement with several high-ranking officials from Dubai and the royal family to open a new campus in the booming Middle East city.

RIT Dubai, the name of the new campus, will be a part of Dubai Silicon Oasis, a 7.2-square-kilometer complex that will include a high-tech park, housing, retail, banks, conference centers and more. Dubai Silicon Oasis is being called the “world’s premier high-technology park for microelectronics and semiconductor research, development and production” by Dubai officials. RIT Dubai will be in the heart of the multi-billion dollar complex created by the Dubai government. Dubai will invest in building a full-fledged campus including academic center, living quarters for students and faculty, and recreational facility. RIT will provide academic content, leadership and management of the university.

“This is an historic day for RIT as we continue to increase the number of global opportunities for our students,” says Destler. “Dubai is a cosmopolitan city and it is exciting that RIT will strengthen relationships with multi-national companies located in the United Arab Emirates. Part of our global strategy is to provide companies a pipeline with a capable workforce already exposed to living, learning and working in a multi-cultural environment.”

Dubai is one of the seven Emirates and a major port on the Persian Gulf. Dubai is feverishly transforming into an international hub of commerce in the Middle East. Dubai leaders are also focusing on strengthening higher education in the region. The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum, has established a $10 billion foundation to support human development in the Arab world. A major focus of this foundation is to provide scholarships to enhance higher education in the region.

“The region is rapidly advancing towards a knowledge-based economy and affiliations with reputed international academic institutions will considerably benefit the UAE,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed. “As our fast developing economy gears up to face more challenges, the fundamental role of technology in every sector assumes greater significance. RIT’s presence in the hi-tech park in Dubai will significantly add to the strength and diversity of Dubai’s higher educational sector, while facilitating the creation of a competent resource pool of technologically talented professionals.”

In September, initial offerings at RIT Dubai will focus on part-time graduate students in fields such as: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, finance, human resource development, networking and systems administration and service leadership and innovation. By 2009, graduate offerings will extend to full-time graduate students and include, telecommunications, facility management, industrial engineering and manufacturing management and leadership. In 2010, RIT Dubai will begin offering undergraduate programs to full-time students. RIT Dubai will be attracting students from the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa. RIT Dubai will be led by Professor Mustafa Abushagur. The partnership will create unique study and co-op abroad opportunities for RIT students. RIT expects the establishment of RIT Dubai to create significant opportunities for faculty exchange as well.

“RIT is on the ground floor of one of the premier projects in Dubai,” states Jim Watters, senior vice president, finance and administration. “This is exciting because we will eventually be granting RIT degrees and have RIT alumni in this region of the world. This will provide RIT with networking and lifetime contacts on a global scale.”